The Marauders and the Triwizard Tournament

The Marauders and the Triwizard Tournament

By Naycit and Celena Lupin

Chapter Three: Godric's Trident.

The Potions classroom filled slowly. Remus entered first, closely followed by James. Sirius entered last. Peter, evidently, hadn't achieved the required grade in his OWL, so he parted from them to enjoy a free period in the common room.

The best-looking of the Marauders wrinkled his nose; he had never liked the smell of the Potions classroom. Today, there were several cauldrons already steaming on each table. The NEWT level had been reached by only twelve students.

From the House of Gryffindor were James, Remus, Sirius and, as expected, Lily Evans. Sirius smiled to himself. Maybe this class wasn't going to be a waste, after all. Yolanda and Heather hadn't made it, so he could talk freely to Lily... if he managed to ignore the nagging feeling that James was always watching them, that is.

The other students were Severus Snape, Bellatrix Black, and Rabastan Lestrange from Slytherin; Frank Longbottom, Marlene McKinnon, and Gawain Robards from Ravenclaw; and Alice Cole and Marianne Flanders from Hufflepuff. Sirius raised his eyebrows. He'd never heard of a Potions' NEWT class with so many students.

Their old Potions Master, Horace Slughorn, walked into the classroom wearing his trademark smile. His already balding head shone in the dim light of the room.

"Good morning, class!" he greeted cheerfully. The students mumbled a lazy good morning in return. "I hope your summers were as wonderful as mine was! I was so thrilled to get so many students back! This is one of the largest groups I've ever had at NEWT level! Now, to business," he added with a clap of his hands. "I'll call the roll." And so he did, in his own very peculiar fashion. "Ah, Miss and Mr. Black! An honor to have you back! I was so pleased with your 'Outstanding' OWLs. Well done, folks, very well done. And Alice! Good to see you back, m'girl! A well earned E in your OWL. Ahhh..."

Sirius caught James' eye and they both smirked. It was common knowledge that Slughorn held Lily in his highest light. They used to joke on how the old Professor seemed to love Lily like the daughter he never had, just because she was as pretty as the wife he would never have.

"Miss Lily Evans," he said, looking at her affectionately. "I must say that your 'Outstanding' OWL with full marks left me impressed. You left the examiners completely astounded as well! I must say that I am really proud of you."

"Thanks, Professor," she mumbled, blushing. With a last appraising smile, Slughorn went on with the roll.

"Hello, Marianne. One nice E, I see. Well done! Lestrange. How're you m'boy? I was expecting an O from you at least! But well, an E is quite fine as well. Longbottom! Another O in your record and one of the best exams of all! I believe you were only second to Miss Evans there. Well done! Mr. Lupin. Another well earned E. I have always said that the most studious get their reward in the end. Marlene, darling, good to see you back! Another nice E from you I've got. And...well, well...Mr. Potter."

"Good morning, Professor," said James smiling vainly. "What have you got to tell me?"

"Well, Mr. Potter, you are just another O to my cause," said Slughorn casually. "Nothing unexpected, really. I thought you wouldn't apply for this class, though I'm glad you did! Just like Mr. Robards here! Another O to me! Way to go, Robards! And Snape, m'boy, the third O with mention, just behind Evans and Longbottom. Superb! I'm really proud of you, Snape."

Snape quirked a faint smile at Slughorn as his answer. James scowled to Lily's amusement. He didn't take it so kindly to be outsmarted by anyone, least of all Snivellus. Sirius snorted, earning a glare from his best friend. Lily caught his rainstorm eyes and they both sniggered.

"What are you two laughing about?" James demanded.

"Nothing that has to do with you, fat-head," said Lily. "We're just sharing a private joke."

"Private joke, huh?"

"Mate, stop it," Sirius said with a laugh. "Let Snivellus think he's better than us for once. The poor thing needs a bit of happiness in that miserable life he lives."

"Yeah, poor miserable thing," said James grudgingly.

"Miserable is an understatement," added Sirius.

"Black," Lily called him, giving him an annoyed look, "Severus is not miserable. Stop teasing him behind his back."

This took Sirius completely aback. He arched an eyebrow at her. "I thought we'd agreed to stop calling the other by the surname," he said.

"Don't change the subject," she snapped. "I hate it when your gang, the so-called, Marauders, tease people just because you can. I thought you were less obnoxious than fat-head, but apparently I was wrong."

"Lily, I..."

"Forget it, Black."

"Hey, Black! Evans! Silence, if you please," called Slughorn. "Now, before we start the class, I have a little announcement. You all know that Triwizard thing Dumbledore spoke about, right? Well, we had agreed that Professor Binns would tell you in due time, for reasons I am not allowed to disclose to you."

"Tell us what, Professor?" Sirius interrupted eagerly.

"The rules and all... I don't quite understand them myself. Oh well... Only a few of you are eligible for the contest for your average grades. You know me, I have to spill the beans for my house at least! I have to tell you who are candidates to apply!"

"And who are they, sir?" James asked, clearly expecting Snape not to be one of them for the nasty look he threw his way.

"Unfortunately, there are only three," Slughorn said with a sigh. "Two of them stand here before me. Snape and Miss Black, you two can apply."

"Thank you, sir," they muttered.

"Sir?"

"Yes, Bella?"

"Who's the other one?"

"Oh, it's lovely Janina Zabini from seventh year."

"Those are the only ones with E average?" she asked with wide eyes.

"Yes, very few, I'm ashamed to say," Slughorn replied. "For what I heard from Professor McGonagall, she's got nine candidates in total."

"Nine?" James blurted out excitedly. "Who?"

"I have no idea, Mr. Potter. She didn't tell me that much," he added with a chuckle. "You can ask her during your Transfiguration class, I suppose."

"But that's not until tomorrow..." he said, crestfallen. "I think we'll have to wait for Professor Binns to tell us. We have him next!"

"Settle down, Potter. Quidditch doesn't count as a subject," Lily said nastily.

"I beg your pardon, Evans, but I do believe I have the average, regardless of Quidditch being a subject or not," James retorted.

"But you lack the brains to do anything more complex than a prank," she said heatedly.

James frowned in confusion. "You know, Evans, you're not making any sense," he said.

Lily glared at him. Sirius had to concede that James had, for once, beaten Lily in a verbal round.

"Stop it, would you?" he interrupted, before blood started to run. Lily was already looking daggers at his best mate. "James is right, you know? He's got the average, just like you, Evans."

"Stop the chat over there!" Slughorn boomed suddenly. "This is the second time I tell you. Ten points from Gryffindor."

Lily scowled at both Sirius and James and turned her back on them. Sirius sighed and exchanged an amused glance with his best mate. Women!

"Now, if you would kindly look this way. You see all these potions I already brewed?" The whole class nodded. Sirius bent forward to sniff the bubbling potion in front of them. It looked like mud with bubbles.

"Ah, Mr. Black! Could you tell us what that one is?" Professor Slughorn asked him.

"It's Polyjuice Potion, isn't it?" he replied. "Or maybe it's ruined Strengthening Solution, who can tell?" he added teasingly.

"It might look like ruined Strengthening Solution, Mr. Black, but it would smell like burned rubber if it was. Well spotted though," Slughorn added with a wink. "But your first answer was correct. Ten points for Gryffindor. And five more for your sharp eye, boy!"

Sirius smiled, pleased with himself. James gave him a thumbs-up.

"Yes, it's Polyjuice Potion," Slughorn went on. "Anybody cares to tell me what it does? Yes, Miss Evans?"

"It allows the drinker to turn into anybody else for a period of an hour approximately. There is no way to tell the person from the imposter, which makes it very dangerous."

"Fantastic!" Slughorn boomed. "Couldn't put it better myself! Twenty points for Gryffindor!"

"Twenty?" James gasped. Sirius hit him in the ribs with his elbow. "That's unfair!"

"Drop it, James. You know he loves her," Sirius pointed out.

"I heard that, Black," Lily hissed.

"And this one," Slughorn said, pointing to the potion that lay in front of the Ravenclaws and Alice Cole. "Who knows it? Frank, m'boy?"

"It's Veritaserum, the Truth Potion, sir," he said pompously. "It forces the drinker to tell the truth."

"Correct! Take ten points for Ravenclaw. Now, my dear Slytherins, don't let me down. What's this one?" he asked, signaling towards the potion that lay on their desk. Snape's hand shot into the air. "Severus, m'boy?"

"That is Amortentia. The strongest Love Potion in existentance."

"Right you are, Snape! Can you tell me more? How does it work?"

Snape grimaced. Sirius and James caught each other's eye and had to fight the laughter back.

"It smells differently to each person, like whatever it is they are...attracted to...."

"Exactly, Snape! How does it smell for you m'boy?" Slughorn asked cheekily.

"Like grease, no doubt," James said under his breath.

"Egocentric git," added Sirius.

"Guys, that was really mean," Lupin reprimanded them.

"Come on, Moony. Let us have some fun," said James.

"You think it's funny, but it's rude."

"You three! Stop the chatting! Ten points for Gryffindor!" The three Marauders scowled as Slughorn docked yet more points from their House. Lily glared at them.

"Very well! Now the last. The one laying on my desk! I'll award a bit of it to whoever guesses what it is!"

"Felix Felicis." James and Sirius turned to Remus so fast that their necks cracked. Lily gave him a rueful grin. She had waited too long to answer.

"And so it is, Mr. Lupin! Here, catch it!" Slughorn threw a tiny flask in Lupin's direction. "And ten points to Gryffindor!"

Remus caught it and smiled widely. James and Sirius looked at him, dumbfounded.

"Serves you two well," Lily said amusedly. "Well done, Remus."

"Thanks, Evans," he replied sheepishly.

"Now! Today we will brew the Draught of Living Dead. It is a complex potion. Kindly open your books on page ten, and follow the instructions. As this is not a double period, I'll require this to be done faster, which means you need to work in pairs. Erm...yes...."

Slughorn then proceeded to pair them up. He put Snape and Rabastan together, and to Bellatrix' annoyance, she got Hufflepuff Marianne Flanders. On the other table, Gawain Robards began to work with Marlene McKinnon, and a delighted Frank Longbottom got paired with Hufflepuff Alice Cole. James was paired up with Remus. Sirius felt a jolt in his stomach when Lily caught his eye. She wasn't pleased, for what he could see.

"Well, it looks like I have to work with you, Black," she said resignedly. "At least I hope you won't ruin my potion."

"Why, you weren't the only one who got an O in her OWL," he said indignantly.

"I didn't mean it because you were a bad student, Black."

"Lily," he started, "I remember we had agreed not to call us by our surnames."

She looked up at him. Sirius couldn't quite place what she was thinking. He was way too distracted gazing into her emerald pools. Lily sighed.

"Let's make a deal," she offered.

"Let's," Sirius accepted.

"You stop calling Severus names, and I'll call you by your name."

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Seriously, Lily, why do you care so much about Severus?"

"I just don't like you four teasing people, especially lonely folks like Severus." She locked her eyes with his, making him gulp.

He had to give up in the end. "Alright, I won't call him names. I cannot promise that my friends will do the same, though."

"I'm asking it from you, not your friends," she said sternly.

"Then I will do it, if it means we're friends again," he replied, smiling.

"Good," Lily agreed with a grin. "Now, could you pass the valerian roots, please?"

"Sure," he said, giving them to her.

"Thanks, Sirius."

The handsome Marauder grinned in spite of himself. He took the knife and began to cut the sopophorus bean, but he was so distracted looking beside him, that he cut his finger instead of the bean.

***

"Don't forget your essay about the mistakes committed with your potions!" Slughorn called as everybody rushed out of the classroom. James left the classroom hastily as soon as he finished cleaning his place. Remus caught Sirius' eye. They shrugged and Remus left as well. It took Sirius a while to realize that he had been left alone with Lily.

"Could you hold this for me?" she asked, handing him some of her books. Sirius was taken aback and nearly dropped them. She bent to scourgify beneath the cauldron, giving Sirius a nice sight of her backside. He felt himself blushing as he realized what he'd been doing.

"Thanks." She took the books from him and walked towards the door. Sirius remained rooted to his spot, still shocked at his own behavior.

"Are you coming, Sirius? We've got History of Magic next," she called from the door.

"Wha...? Oh! Sure." And he followed her. They walked the corridors that lead to their History of Magic classroom in silence. Sirius turned to look at her from time to time, and quickly looked back to the front each time she seemed to turn her head in his direction. They turned the corner and, before either of them could prevent it, they were showered with a rain of chalk which made them cough.

"PEEVES!" Sirius yelled. "Where the hell are you?" A loud cackle was heard and the poltergeist popped into view right in front of them.

"Gotcha, didn't I?" he said in his annoyingly sing-song voice.

"You'll pay for this!" Sirius bellowed, drawing out his wand and a piece of crumpled paper. He always had his pockets filled with this, in case class became boring and he had to amuse himself throwing paper balls to his friends.

"Waddiwasi!" he screamed. Lily watched, astounded, how the little paper ball ricocheted towards Peeves' nose. The poltergeist was taken by surprise, and cursing loudly, he flew away. Sirius grinned, pleased.

"That was good," she complimented.

"Thanks," Sirius replied. "Pity it won't rid us of this white cape."

"Here, let me," she said. Sirius felt his face burn as she took his arm and turned him to face her. She looked down at him, feeling rather embarrassed. Would he dare? What was there to lose? She was so close. One little bent and it was done. Lily looked up at him. They were inches from the other.

But then she blushed and began to vacuum clean his robes with her wand. Sirius blinked in frustration. He hadn't had the courage to kiss Lily.

But she blushed!

And so?

She blushed! You looked at her and she blushed!

And so?

You're impossible....

"Let's go," Lily muttered. "We'll be late."

And with that, the two of them retook the route towards Binns' classroom. Sirius sighed in spite of himself, earning an arched eyebrow from the woman beside him.

***

"Miss Evans! Mr. Black! You're late!" Professor Binns gazed dreamily at the open door through which both students had entered ten minutes after he had started.

"I'm so sorry, Professor, we ran across the poltergeist," Lily apologized.

"He threw chalk powder at us, Professor," Sirius supplied.

"Really, Mr. Black? I don't see any trace of chalk in your robes."

Damn....

Lily glared at Sirius. He gave her a look that clearly said, "Why did you have to clean us?"

"I see," Professor Binns continued. For the look in his ghostly face, being late was the only reason for which he would interrupt his boring lectures. "I really expected better behavior from you, Miss Evans," he continued. "As a Prefect, it is your duty to set a good example. You will both receive detention, and ten points from Gryffindor each. Now take a seat."

Not only Lily and Sirius were shocked this time. In all his time (living and dead) Binns had never given detention. But then, maybe nobody was late to History of Magic for some strange reason, since it was the most hated subject of them all. Lily went to the third row and sat with Heather and Yolanda, looking all defeated and angry. Sirius cursed under his breath and went to the back to join James and Remus. Peter hadn't achieved the required OWL result for History of Magic either.

"Silence, please. Before anything else happens that makes me forget, I will read aloud the list of candidates for that Tournament. The Gryffindor sixth years who may participate are: Black, Sirius; Evans, Lily; Lupin, Remus; Potter, James."

"Not at all unexpected," Sirius muttered with a wide grin.

"The Slytherin sixth years who also may participate are: Snape, Severus and Black, Bellatrix. The Ravenclaws who may participate are: Longbottom, Frank and Robards, Gawain. The only Hufflepuff who may participate is Cole, Alice."

"That's it?" James demanded. "Professor Slughorn told us you had nine candidates for Gryffindor!"

"Of which four are in seventh year, and one is not attending this class, Mr. Potter," Professor Binns said.

"Oh...."

James caught Sirius eye and they both smirked. They knew all along that they had the average, but being actually told made them feel all grown-up and powerful.

"So what, mate? You're trying?" asked Sirius.

"Hell, yes!" James replied. "Evans managed it too."

"Do you think we have against chance with her?"

"Well, she's a girl," James said smugly.

"And a bloody powerful one," Remus interjected. "I wouldn't underestimate Evans if I were you."

"I don't underestimate her. I'm just overconfident in myself."

Both Sirius and Remus blinked twice before they processed what they'd just heard. Shaking their heads, they thought that maybe Evans was right. James did have a very fat head.

"If I may have your attention, please," Binns called. "It is my duty to inform you about the rules of this Tournament. I am the only Hogwarts teacher who was present in the last edition of this event, so it befalls on me to explain. The Triwizard Tournament was first celebrated in an attempt to bring together the three greatest schools of magic in Europe. These are Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The delegations for each of the foreign schools will be arriving tonight. One champion per school will be chosen then for the competition."

"How are the champions selected?" James interrupted brusquely.

Binns seemed taken aback for the sudden disruption but answered nonetheless. "Professor Dumbledore will introduce the judge tonight as well as soon as the delegations of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive." He glided towards his chair and sat. "As I was saying, the three champions will have to face three different tasks. A panel of judges will award points. The one with more points at the end of the competition is the winner. And--"

"Is there a prize?" This time it was Sirius who interrupted.

"Er... yes, the prize is a bag with one thousand galleons."

Several students ooohhed and aaahhed. Sirius and James looked at each other, clearly thinking the same thing.

"Isn't this great?" James asked.

"Of course! I don't want the money, but that idea of putting myself in danger Dumbledore talked about is quite tantalizing to me..."

"Well, now we can go back to our class," Binns said. "The rest of the rules will be given to the champions alone. Now, Professor Dumbledore asked me to give you a special lesson. Today we shall be learning about Godric Gryffindor. I do not see why this sudden change of topic in my class is so important, but he did tell me it was to help those who aspire to participate in the Tournament."

"So that's why the teachers chose him to public the candidates," James mused.

"Apparently," Sirius replied.

"Godric Gryffindor," began Binns. "I believe you are aware of his background story, seeing as we have studied him and the other founders previously. Well, what may concern the champions is the next. Gryffindor created a Trident for use against the Merpeople in the Lake. Gryffindor got this idea off the Greek God Poseidon, whose Trident was a weapon and could shake the earth and shatter any object." By now, even the Slytherins looked somewhat in awe, but still remained silent and sullen.

"The other founders were baffled as to why Gryffindor would create such an object, but no one knows the answer he gave. Now, to use the Trident it was known that it must be done so as a creature. Not as a human being, but as a creature. Miss Evans!"

Lily's head snapped up and looked towards the professor. "Yes, sir?" Professor Binns chuckled somewhat and made his way over. "I believe that you have already started to learn how to transfigure yourself into a creature, am I correct?"

Lily frowned, but nodded. She didn't see the mischievous glances that Sirius and James exchanged. "Just last year with Professor McGonagall."

Binns floated down to the front. "Miss Evans....if you were to use the Trident as your weapon, what creature would you turn into?"

Every head in the classroom turned her and Lily's forehead wrinkled more, trying to think of the one creature that could hold a Trident while swimming...

"A mermaid, sir." Binns nodded and motioned her to explain her choice. "The top half of a mermaid is human, while the bottom has a tail. A mermaid would be able to carry the Trident, not only that she could also speak to the Merpeople in words they understand."

At that point Snape snorted while the other Slytherins grinned. "Yes, Mr. Snape?" Snape looked up and raised an eyebrow. "A mermaid? And what are we, men, meant to transform into, Miss. Evans? A mermaid as well?"

Lily blushed and managed to reply, "No, Severus. You could transform into a Merman."

"Quite correct, Miss Evans. Mr. Black, what do you know about Mermen?"

Sirius frowned and opened his mouth to answer, but Snape beat him to it. "Black won't know anything, sir. If anything, ask Mr. Lupin."

Sirius didn't even realize he'd been verbally attacked. He was watching Lily so intently that even Binns took notice. However, the Professor turned to look at Remus and just shrugged. Remus shook his head at Sirius and answered the question. "Mermen are mythical creatures who are human from the waist up and fish-like at the bottom. A merman's counterpart is the same, but known as a mermaid. In Greek Mythology, Mermen are usually pictured with green seaweed-like hair, a beard, and a Trident."

Binns sat down, or as much as a ghost could, and carried on. "The actions and behavior of Mermen can vary wildly depending on the source and time period of the stories. They have been said to sink ships by summoning great storms, but also said to be wise teachers, according to earlier mythology. Which reminds me..."

The class sunk into the deepest stupor as soon as Binns changed the subject again and went on with his lectures. Sirius and James looked at each other before the latter's head fell on his desk and started to make strange sounds that were very much like human snores.

***

"Why would Binns tell us about that Trident?" Sirius wondered out loud. The Marauders were walking back to the Gryffindor common room after they had finished their classes. The four of them were tired and eager to call it a day even though it wasn't dark yet.

"I dunno," James offered. "Maybe to scare us."

"I guess that would be it," said Remus jokingly. "If Binns is to explain everything to the champions, odds are high for them to die."

"Die?" James asked.

"Of boredom," Sirius answered. "Or maybe they'd fall asleep during the lectures and die in the task for not knowing what to do."

"Are you going to apply, Moony?" asked Peter.

"No, I don't think I will," he replied with a sigh.

"Why not?" Sirius inquired. "You can do it, I'm sure."

"Yes, Sirius, but you know that... in my condition... you cannot dispose of your time so easily."

"I guess you're right."

"But well, you can help us if any of us enters," James commented.

"Sure I will," Remus finished with a grin. They reached the end of the corridor and faced the Fat Lady.

"Password?"

"Pegasus Flight," James recited.

"Correct."

The portrait swung aside to admit them into the Gryffindor tower. There was a lot of murmuring going on, and as they came into full view of the common room, they discovered the source of it. There was a huge announcement on the board. Sirius, the tallest of the four, stood on his tiptoes to spy.

"What is it, Padfoot?" James inquired.

"It says that the delegations of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are arriving tonight. We are supposed to gather in the Great Hall to receive instructions from the Heads of House before dinner is served."

"What are Beauxbatons and Durmstrang?" Peter asked.

"They are the other Wizarding schools in Europe." Remus replied.

"So now we'll know the folks we will compete with, right?" Sirius commented.

"I guess so," Remus finished.

"How long is it until dinner?" James asked to no one in particular.

"An hour," Peter said, checking his watch.

"An hour we can spend playing Exploding Snap!" James suggested cheerfully.